View report page

29
ought to understand their own business) beneficial, it is our duty
solely to protect the health of the parish to the utmost.
We believe that they have been kept during the last ten years
in the most innocuous state, with the exception of two or three
instances of carelessness, which have been punished with loss
of the license. We have visited these places at all hours, and
are certain that with care they can be kept sweet, and that they
are so. We have been accompanied by physicians from Scotland,
Ireland, the Continent, and America, who have from time
to time come to see how sanitary affairs are managed in this
Parish ; and can aver that though we desire them abolished, especially
in order to decrease the street traffic, the health of our
parishioners is in no danger whatever from them.
We may add that it were desirable to have special licenses for
killing sheep and pigs, which gives rise to far less nuisance than
the killing of oxen.
Cow-yards, Catlle Plague, &c.
In October 1862, the number of cow-yards in the Parish was
18, belonging to 21 proprietors, and the number of the animals
477. In 1865 the number was 18 (of which one only is in the
Hanover and Mayfair Sub-Districts), and at the beginning of
August 1865, the number of cows was about 400. The accommodation
in the various sheds allowed of about 600, but the number
was always fluctuating. With regard to the condition of the
yards, they were for the most part well kept and clean. One of
the largest cow-keepers, however, who had two yards, always contrived
that they should be crowded and untidy, in spite of all
remonstrance. Then came the Cattle Plague. According to
official returns, in the week ending August 12th, 4 cows were
attacked and killed; in the week ending Aug. 19, 20 attacked, 7
died, 11 killed, besides 21 others killed as probably infected. Week
ending August 26th, 13 attacked, 9 died, 5 killed, 83 others slaughtered
by way of precaution. Week ending September 2nd, 2 attacked,
1 died ; September 16th, 16 reported to be attacked (what
became of these not stated), 3 others slaughtered; week ending
October 7th, 4 attacked, 2 killed, 5 others killed by way of precaution;
October 14th, 2 attacked, 1 killed, and next week one
is reported to have recovered; 1866, Jan. 6, 1 attack, 1 death;
Feb. 3rd, 5 attacked, 3 killed, 5 others killed by way of precaution
; Feb. 10th, 2 of the preceding 5 attacked died ; March 31st, 4
attacked, 4 killed.*
These statements are taken from the Returns to the Privy
Council, but we know that they contain a very inadequate account
of the devastation occasioned in the earlier weeks of the Cattle
Plague, although, from the secresy maintained by the cow-keepers
on a matter which so hazarded their whole means of subsistence,
it was perfectly hopeless to obtain anything like an accurate
* In week ending April 7th, 2 attacked, 2 killed ; April 14th. 4 attacked. 4 killed, and
22 others slaughtered for precaution. Week ending May 19th, 4 attacked, 3 killed. 1 died,